How to Position Your Hands to Shoot a Basketball

A good shooter will always be a valued team member. Good shooting is a function of proper shooting form and a lot of practice. This article focuses in on the proper positioning of hands in the shooting process.

Things You'll Need

  • Basketball
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Instructions

    • 1

      The ball should rest on the upper pad of your shooting hand--this is the pad at the base of your fingers.

    • 2

      Your fingers should be comfortably spread with your middle finger in the middle of the ball--when you are practicing this form, point your middle finger at the air hole in the ball.

    • 3

      Your shooting wrist should be cocked back so your palm is facing the ceiling. With your wrist cocked and the ball at the top of the palm of your hand, you should be able to balance the ball with one hand.

    • 4

      The guide hand (non-shooting hand) should be on the side of the ball with the fingers pointed towards the ceiling.

    • 5

      Practice catching the ball and quickly getting your hands into this position.